Today’s Troubles Will Test Us

        Lots of words describe trouble:  disaster, forest fire, robbery, wreck, flood, attack, tragedy, violence.   Today’s newspapers and the latest TV and Internet reports bring us a huge list of troubles from here and around the world. 

        What’s the logical thing to do?  Perhaps turn off the TV after an hour of the bad news?  Or, look into the cause and effect of some of the troubles that pique our interest?  Maybe write to our senators, our representatives, and post to social media websites?

        Today’s troubles will test us.  That same fact has applied to each person, even way, way, way back in the olden days.  God allows calamities, disease, failures, wars to get our attention. 

Today's News Is About Terrible Things -- So What?

       Today’s news programs were “normal.” From TV reports to Internet sites there wasn’t any “good” news around the world. Interviews involved picking out a few comments to argue about vehemently for a short time. 

        How do you and I respond?  

1. Turn off the news and avoid thinking about it?  Emotionally and intellectually deny the powerful, horrible truth of what’s going on?

2. Or, give at least one news report a quick listen so we can act like we’re keeping up with the various situations; we’re not careless or stupid?

3. Or, immerse ourselves in all the details we can find in print and on-line?  This way we can show up all the people we might talk with?  We know more facts and opinions of famous people?

       What’s our motive?  Do we have a plan, a goal? Or, is watching the news just a habit that launches the day?

       Does it really matter?  Does what I choose, what I do make any difference in the “big picture” of life? 

         As people who care what’s going on many of us miss our “assignment.”  We are to pray for the misled people to awaken to the truth of good and evil. Pray for the “bad” people to repent of their sins and to hear the good news of the truth of God’s Word.  Judgment from God brings them troubles which are meant to emphasize their need of God:  repent before they die and face eternal consequences.     

        Here’s a few Bible verses to get you started in this calling, 
this challenge to pray for others: 

Relief From the World's Chaos

Chaos, troubles of every size

Assaults us from every side,

Wars and fightings are getting worse,

Evil men have increasingly lied. 

Many natural calamities

Are becoming worse increasingly; 

Politicians and government leaders

Make complications we might not see. 

Pay attention to these events,

Be cautious, alert, aware;

Each person’s life has an ending here,

But our Father in Heaven does care.

Eternal life is a Bible promise,

Tell everyone you can that you care;

Judgment day is coming for all mankind,

Now is the time to prepare. 

by Elaine Hardt ©2015

Beware This Sneaky Scam

His smile looked sincere, and his words sounded reasonable. Lois let her guard down. Her experience is a warning for us.  

Lois phoned me with the scary news of the scam.  “Thank God, I’m OK,” she assured me.  We both agreed that the Lord had protected her, but she urged me to tell others, “Beware.  You are not as safe as you might think.”

Yesterday the doorbell rang while she was in the kitchen.  A neatly dressed workman holding a clipboard stood at the front door. 

“Your neighbor is getting a new fence.  Let me show you where he wants to put it,” he gestured towards the alley behind her house.

This unexpected news was unsettling.  With a quick glance around Lois followed the man.  He lowered his voice, so she had to move closer to him.  At a steady pace he took her down the alley.  On and on he talked. It sort of made sense; however as he continued past her property to the neighbor’s place, going towards the next yard, Lois felt a slight twinge of worry. 

Then his cell phone rang and he stopped to answer.  “No, no.  I’ll get back with you a little later,” he responded to whoever was calling. 

Without going any farther he asked her, “Do you have any questions?” 

“I want to go back home and sit down. Do you have papers that explain this?”

Ignoring her request, he rambled on, repeating vague terms about her fence and the neighbor’s fence. When his cell phone rang again Lois started to walk back towards her house.  Getting closer she noticed the pickup truck across the street. 

Are You Building YOUR Ark?

        Most of us know the Bible story of Noah; how God told him to prepare for coming disaster and how he obeyed. How many people today are “building their ark” for their families?
        Steve jumped into the discussion at Friendship Circle last week. At first, the others frowned, but before he wound up his warnings heads were nodding in agreement.
        “No,” he began. “I’m not just suggesting some symbolism for the sake of hearing my own voice.

Egypt, Pakistan, Syria, Israel, Iran, (etc.)

Egypt, Pakistan, Syria, Israel, Iran, etc.
Political disasters and war,
Japan's earthquakes and tsunami,
Flooding in the U.S. and more!

World-wide trouble and uncertainties,
Some people want to run and hide;
Others are consumed with worry,
Their aspirations and dreams have died.

Financial collapse, dishonesty,
Fearful investor and debtor;
Is there any reason for hope
that the future could be any better?

Chapter One: Can You Identify With This Man?

        “Local news sources today bring you continuous coverage on a local man, Noah. On the scene here’s our reporter, Rash D. Confusion, giving you an unbiased look at a most unusual citizen.”

Chapter Two: What Went Wrong?

        Picture the party. Noah and his family have loaded a weird assortment of animals onto the huge wooden thing he’s built, called it an ark. Now the big door was closed. The townspeople had walked out to the site and gawked. Would something really bad happen now? Was there some sort of judgment really going to come all across the land?
        How long did they stand there in silence before riotous laughter broke out? Back-slapping punctuated with profanities emerged, and the jubilant men and women, boys and girls headed back into town for the biggest celebration ever.